• For a real technical discussions...
• Real definitions...

Why don't I talk about, who's got the lowest cost?

• I cant possibly keep track!   So, check out the wireless service provider, you self... (Generally it best to go directly to the corporate store, than a reseller.)

What is Wireless?

• Often applied to broadly. Any means of sinding or receiving of information (voice or data), without wires (Usually, either RF or IR).

What is Cellular?

• Often applied to broadly. Cellular is the way the wireless phone base station (Cell sites) are laid out. However, when I hear the word Cellular, I think, 800 Mhz area.

What is PCS?

• Often applied even more broadly.  Personal-Commucations-Services, is in the 1900 MHz area.  Also, like cellular.

What is a Cell site?

• It's a bunch of (radio) equipment  (and antennas) configured to receive ur cell phone signal, send it over to a (usually) a T1, then it handled by the wired phone company who routs it to whom ur calling (Yes, I left out MSO/MTSO, stuff - remember, KISS).  In most cases the antenna are directional.  Usually in three directions, these are called sectors.  The antenna's used are vary directional, enough to keep out signals (callers) out of the nabering sectors (and the other cells).

What is Digital and how do I know I'm on it?

• Well, usually there is a big "D" some where on your display, or READ THE MANUAL!

What is Digital?

• Cellular One, AT&T Wireless, and others, use TDMA, Time-Divition-Multiple-Access. Your voice is digitized, Packized, sent out in time sharing slots, of which you are one of three wireless phone users on that channel (there several channels).  (Many phone can be forced to analog (AMPS),  check you manual.)
• Pac Bell (Cenglur) wireless uses GSM, a better form of TDMA. Similar to TDMA, except at a faster rate. Is used in Europe on 900 and 1900 MHz. (No analog available, there talk of a new phone that can.)
• NexTel, Is also TDMA like. (No analog available.)
• GTE, Verizon, AirTough, Sprint, others, use CDMA. Code-Divition-Multiple-Access. Like TDMA digitizes you voice, then, sends it out, sorta in a layering form, each 20 - 40 users, on top of, or intermixed, in a special way that can be unmixed. It is Spread spectrum, of the Direct Sequence type, (today 64 possible short codes (users), soon, 128.  (Of the 64 maybe 50 to 16 (unknown on the 128) can be interleaved with out interference to each other, this answer depends on if your asking Marketing or critical technical thinker). CDMA is the most secure of the digital types. It is used in US mostly, on 800 MHz and Sprint has a variant on 1900 MHz (Many phone can be forced to analog (AMPS), check you manual.).

I got Digital service, but I am having difficulties placing and receiving calls.  And calls are not vary clear, people (say I'm) are garbled?

• First:
• A)  Is the persons voice broken up, and only your on a wireless phone, move to a different location, like near a window or outside.
• B)  If, theirs saying I cant hear you, then ask why?  If your broken up, try item #A.  If they say there is noise, then ask is it back round noise, people talking, stereo too loud, etc.?  Talking louder wont help (I.e., don't). Again, remove you self from the a fending area, turn down you other radio, or use a noise canceling head set like Plantronics or others (that say there noise canceling).
• Douse everybody say 'your gargling ball barrings' (that u sound bad)?  May be you service provider sucks (or at least, in the areas that u go);  But, more likely, you got a bad phone (either this particular one is bad, or this type is bad - read on...
• Second I'd find a friend that's got the same service provider, compare signal strength at the same locations (at the same time).  Make test call to a land line phone from each wireless phone.  Do you have more than 2 bars or so, less may be not enough for Digital.  If there is a significant difference, between phones, probably the phone is bad.  Also many new phones, now come without an antenna (i.e., the antenna is internal to the phone).  This may be ok for a big city, but not for any place else.  Take the phone back to were you got it and get another.  Get a phone that has a pull up stile antenna.  Also, sum phone just don't work well?
• If the phone is ok, then I'd get an external antenna adapter, hands free, or a "Full instal car kit" (this primarily applies to, in the car).
• Also, the service providers can't read you mind, if you having regular call drops, or other call problem, you should call you service provider, get the technical service number, (on Verizon its 811, there is nun available for AT&T (Cell1) or Cenglur (PBW), but on Dobsen's CellularOne, after you dial 611 (or 800 number, dial 114).  Also, ask for credit for the dropped calls.

It's my experience that Digital Wireless Service, often suffers from sound quality problems.  Either, missing chunks of what your hearing or saying. Talking through a fan sound, robot voice sounding or noticeable distortion.  (Or, the other choose is, during fades you can have static, but somewhat understandable sound -  i.e., analog (AMPS), you pick (unfortunately, most cell phone companies wont let you make this choise)?
If you watch TV, my wireless service provider GTE (Verizon), ran a commercial depicting a guy climbing on to the diner table trying to find a good spot for his cell phone reception. I hope this commercial hasn't misled you, to think that digital is better, it isn't. Wether it's Nextel (the werst) or Pac Bell (Cengler) wireless (the best), usually Analog (AMPS) is better. Also from my experience, both exhibit the above mentioned problems, of signal fades, and drop outs.

Hear are the facts as I know them:

• Digital is relatively secure, from casual monitoring, form scanner enthusiast. It is basically secure. Yes the Govt. could probably decrypt it, but they wont, because they can get a warentless tap, at the phone company (equipment side).
• Many providers wont sell Analog service (AMPS), even if you have the phone. If they sell it to you, they wont give free minute plans, you'll usually pay by the minute, like .25 - .35c per minute, or more.
• Both TDMA and CDMA, can be, pretty good at times, even often.  Some times, I think I've been handed off to analog (AMPS), but, I'm still in digital (Vary phone dependent!!!).

So why douse wireless company sell digital services?

• They can sell MUCH more service (more users), because of added capacity - more profits.
• Because digital allows 3 to 1 or more, additional customers, see above.
• Allows other types of services other than voice, like SMS (Short-Messageing-Service), Email , and Internet access.
• Allows provider to offer more secure voice and data.
• Did I mention they could sell more service ;=)

So why, if I believe, that Pac Bell Wireless service is best in voice quality, do I prefer GTE (Verizon) wireless?

• Because I want it to work everywhere. PCS type career providers, almost always has poorer coverage because, they started more recently, so they have less cell sites, and 1900 Mhz transmissions is more exorbed by trees and stuff.
• Was somewhat new to my area....
• Because I thought that GTE worked better in the area where I live, may not be true, however.
• Because I heard lots of complaints about the local Cell One service (Dobson), in particular, werst when in Digital, i.e. TDMA.
• Between the two 800 MHz wireless service providers, I'll have service, just about anywhere, usually...

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